HOW TO PROCESS SEWAGE WATER | WASTE WATER TREATMENT PLANT VIDEO

Summary

Kerala is addressing its growing urbanization and wastewater challenges with innovative treatment solutions. The Kerala Sustainable Urban Development Project, supported by the Asian Development Bank, focuses on wastewater management in cities. A state-of-the-art treatment plant in Thiruvananthapuram uses the activated sludge process to clean wastewater from homes and businesses. The process involves multiple stages, including screening, aeration, and clarification, ensuring that the treated water is safe for reuse in gardening and industrial activities. With a daily capacity of 107 million liters, the project aims to meet the needs of a rapidly growing population while minimizing environmental impact.

Takeaways

• 😀 Kerala is rapidly urbanizing, with villages becoming small towns and towns transforming into cities.
• 😀 Despite progress in basic infrastructure, wastewater treatment remains a challenge in Kerala.
• 😀 The Kerala Sustainable Urban Development Project, assisted by the Asian Development Bank, focuses on improving wastewater treatment.
• 😀 A new sewage treatment plant in Mutra, the capital city, aims to address wastewater treatment needs in the area.
• 😀 Sewage farming, using wastewater for agricultural purposes, was practiced in the past but is no longer feasible due to urban growth.
• 😀 Septic tanks are not a long-term solution for wastewater treatment and often contaminate groundwater.
• 😀 The new wastewater treatment plant uses an advanced Activated Sludge Process to treat wastewater with minimal environmental impact.
• 😀 Wastewater is collected through a network of pipes that rely on gravity for flow, with pumping stations placed at intervals to transport the water.
• 😀 The treatment process involves multiple steps: screening, settling, aeration, clarification, and disinfection, to ensure thorough purification.
• 😀 The treated water is tested at various stages in the process and can be used for gardening, industrial, or construction activities after disinfection.
• 😀 The plant has the capacity to treat 107 million liters of wastewater daily, although current treatment is around 30-40 million liters per day.

Q & A

What is the main focus of Kerala's Sustainable Urban Development Project?

The main focus of Kerala's Sustainable Urban Development Project is improving wastewater treatment systems in urban areas to support the growing population and reduce environmental impact.

How does the wastewater treatment plant in Muttrah treat the collected sewage?

The plant uses a process called the activated sludge process with extended aeration. It involves collecting wastewater from homes and hotels, then treating it with bacteria that break down organic waste, followed by clarification, sludge management, and final disinfection with chlorine.

Why was sewage farming in Muttrah no longer feasible?

Sewage farming, which used wastewater for food cultivation, became impractical due to the growing population and expansion of the city, leading to insufficient space and resources for this method.

What problems are associated with septic tanks in Kerala?

Septic tanks pose risks of water contamination, both within the property and in neighboring wells, due to improper installation, lack of maintenance, and infrequent waste removal.

What is the function of the screen chamber in the treatment plant?

The screen chamber blocks solid materials such as plastic and cloth from entering the treatment process. When the amount of waste exceeds the limit, an automated rack removes the debris and deposits it outside.

How does the aerator tank contribute to wastewater treatment?

In the aerator tank, oxygen is introduced into the water, which accelerates the growth of bacteria that break down organic waste. The process is crucial for purifying the water.

What happens during the clarification process?

During clarification, bacteria and heavy particles settle at the bottom of the clarifier, where the sludge is separated and sent to a sludge tank for further processing.

How is the sludge from the treatment process managed?

Sludge is thickened in a sludge thickener, where water is removed, and the remaining thickened sludge is sent to a centrifuge. This process reduces the volume of the sludge, and the water is redirected to the aeration tank for further treatment.

Why is chlorine used in the final stage of wastewater treatment?

Chlorine is used in the final stage to disinfect the treated water, ensuring that all microorganisms are eliminated before the water is discharged into the nearby canal.

What is the capacity of the Muttrah treatment plant, and how much wastewater is currently processed?

The plant has the capacity to treat 107 million liters of wastewater daily, but it currently processes 30-40 million liters per day due to partial connections in the sewage network.